Tactical Aircraft: Changing Conditions Drive Need for New F/A-22 Business Case
GAO-04-391
Published: Mar 15, 2004. Publicly Released: Mar 15, 2004.
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Highlights
Following a history of increasing cost estimates to complete F/A-22 development, Congress asked GAO to assess the Air Force's F/A-22 development program annually and determine whether the Air Force is meeting key performance, schedule, and cost goals. On April 23, 2003, a congressional subcommittee requested that the Department of Defense (DOD) provide more detailed information on the business case that supports the estimated quantities and costs for an affordable F/A-22 program. Specifically, GAO (1) identified changes in the F/A-22 program since its inception, (2) reviewed the status of the development activities, and (3) examined the sufficiency of business case information provided for congressional oversight.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | Given the sizable investment that remains in the F/A-22 program, the uncertainties, and the ever changing financial demands of DOD, Congress and the Secretary of Defense would benefit from a comprehensive assessment of the number of F/A-22 aircraft needed as well as assurance that problems identified in initial operational testing will be identified and resolved. Specifically, the Secretary of Defense should complete a new business case analysis that determines the continued need for the F/A-22 and that specifically (a) addresses the need for an expanded air-to-ground capability and an assessment of alternatives, to include the feasibility of using other assets like the F-35 and unmanned aerial vehicles planned for the future; (b) justifies the quantity of F/A-22 aircraft needed to satisfy requirements for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions; and (c) provides evidence that the planned quantity is affordable within current budgets and the congressional funding limitation. The Secretary should provide the results of the business case analysis to the defense committees before the decision to start full rate production. |
Closed – Implemented
In its March 15, 2005 report, Tactical Aircraft: Air Force Still Needs Business Case to Support F/A-22 Quantities and Increased Capabilities, GAO-05-304, GAO restated the need for the Secretary of Defense to complete a new business case that justifies the need for expanded air-to-ground capabilities and justifies the quantity of F/A-22 needed to satisfy requirements for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. In their official comments to this report, the Office of the Secretary of Defense concurred with GAO's recommendation. Specifically, they stated the 2005 Quadrennial Defense Report (QDR) will address quantity of aircraft needed for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
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| Department of Defense | Given the sizable investment that remains in the F/A-22 program, the uncertainties, and the ever changing financial demands of DOD, Congress and the Secretary of Defense would benefit from a comprehensive assessment of the number of F/A-22 aircraft needed as well as assurance that problems identified in initial operational testing will be identified and resolved. Specifically, the Secretary of Defense should, before the full rate production decision is made and in conjunction with the Beyond Low-Rate Initial Production Report, provide the defense committees a plan that shows how the Air Force will correct and fund any major problems identified and still open after IOT&E is completed. |
Closed – Not Implemented
The F/A-22 program completed IOT&E in December 2004. On April 15, 2005, the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) approved the Full Rate Production capability of the F/A-22 program; therefore, this recommendation can be closed.
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Topics
Air Force procurementAvionicsComputersCost analysisFighter aircraftFuture budget projectionsMilitary aircraftMilitary cost controlModificationsOperational testingPerformance measuresProcurement planningSchedule slippages